Cellular Nutrition: Healthy Cells Mean a Healthy You

Your body is composed of roughly 37.2 trillion cells. Every organ, muscle, and bone is made up of these cells. So, it’s no surprise when your cells are healthy, you are healthy.

But how can you make sure you keep your cells healthy? By making sure they get the nutrients they need to perform all the natural processes to keep your body active and well. In a nutshell, that’s what cellular nutrition is. But there is a little more to understand if you really want to know how to best care for your cells. Let’s break this down together.

Think of Nutrition as Information

Every nutrient you consume, whether it comes from an orange slice, a cookie, or a nutritional supplement, is a message being carried to your cells. These nutrients act as molecular messengers, and when cells receive the messages, this information is carried throughout the body using cell-signaling pathways—your body’s vast communication network. This process is called cell signaling.

You signal your cells more efficiently through nutrition:

Fresh fruits

A variety of veggies

Healthy fats and proteins

All of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in your diet and supplements

Through cell-signaling, your body’s cells activate many of the natural processes that keep you happy and healthy. It also helps your body adapt to your current environment. If your body didn’t have this cell-signaling mechanism built into your DNA, everyday life would be a challenge.

How to Keep Your Cells Conversing

Without proper nutrition, your cell-signaling network could become less efficient. Of course, this is something to avoid if you can. But is it even possible?

Yes, to an extent. Your lifestyle and environment can disrupt effective cell communication, but the biggest enemy to your cells is normal aging. Over time, your cells’ ability to send and receive these important messages will dwindle. But luckily, you have much more control over other factors that may harm your cell-signaling network—such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and exposure to toxins.

Recent research has shown that living a healthy lifestyle while supplementing your diet with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients can support your cell-signaling pathways. Vitamin D, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and a number of other nutrients play important roles in cell signaling.*

In addition to vitamins and minerals, some plant nutrients are also directly involved in cell signaling. They can initiate this process, help cells receive messages properly, or help cells function after cell-signaling has “turned them on.” Just a few examples of such nutrients are:

Epicatechin found in chocolate and grape seeds has been shown to support cardiovascular health.*

Sulforaphane and ECGC found in broccoli and green tea have been shown to support the body’s natural detoxification pathways.*

Lipoic acid found in spinach and other vegetables supports detoxification but also can help maintain a healthy weight.*

Curcumin found in turmeric root has been shown to help maintain a balanced and healthy immune system.*

Omega-3 fatty acids and other healthy fats can also help keep your cells healthy, as they are needed to maintain the shape of your cells. Taking in antioxidants will help protect your cells from other damaging elements.*

This really is just an introduction to how cellular nutrition helps keep your cells healthy and active through cell-signaling. But it’s enough to help you start on the path to greater cellular health today. Supporting your cell-signaling pathways can:

Optimize cellular function*

Support a healthy immune system*

Support the body’s natural detoxification processes*

Optimize the production of powerful antioxidants made inside cells*

Support cellular clean-up processes*

It is important for you to give your cells the daily nutrients they need. Take care of them and, when you need it the most, they’ll take care of you.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author

Rob Sinnott, Ph.D. became the chief scientific officer at USANA in 2016 and has more than 25 years of experience in biotechnology, life sciences, and nutrition. Sinnott is responsible for ensuring USANA remains at the forefront of unique scientific innovation. As chief scientific officer, he manages all aspects of global research and development by building on and preserving the legacy of Dr. Wentz to improve health worldwide.

Dr. Sinnott received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Arizona State University. Dr. Sinnott also honed his skills in research and development and product development by attending classes at prestigious universities such as—the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, University of Maryland Smith School of Business, London Business School, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.